Persian ruler. If I remember correctly his plan to invade greece by building a bridge out of ships, which failed miserably when a storm came when the army was crossing.
I believe he had a tantrum and had chains of red hot iron thrown into the sea.
Never thought history class would actually be useful.

Grizzledude seems too laid back to be that persons skull.
Maybe he used to be a mug or a paperweight?
Or I’m thinking in totally the wrong direction.
Great comic though! I just found it this morning and I love the art, in places it seems quite dungeonesque, I wasn’t too surprised to see that you listed them as one of your primary influences.
I hope to see the story taken all the way to it’s grizzly conclusion!